Artcaffe has caused an online pandemonium after their online competition for creatives made its way on social media.
Artcaffe announced on their social media platforms about their art contest inviting all the best creatives to apply in their #ARTofthecity competition.
The restaurants which have a lot of branches across Nairobi went further to announced that their top three candidates will have walk away prizes
“Get creative and help us jazz up our takeaway coffee cups!” their announcement read. “ALL THREE WINNERS’ unique artworks will be the printed design on our Holiday Season take-away cups!
First Prize
Exhibition space in one of our restaurants for 2 months OR an internship with the Artcaffe Design Team for 2 months.
AND FREE coffee for a year!
*a total of 365 coffees redeemed at 1 a day
Second Prize
FREE coffee for 6 months
*a total of 183 coffees redeemed at 1 a day
Third Prize
FREE coffee for 3 months
*a total of 91 coffees redeemed at 1 a day”
This hasn’t sat well with netizens with most of them taking to Twitter to express their thoughts on the matter.
Radio presenter Jalang’o on his show, Kamene and Jalang’o on Kiss 100 defended Artcaffe stressing that exposure was more important than money.
“If you are not in the creative industry, you might troll Artcaffe all you want and say how exposure is not enough.
But kudos to Artcaffe for that chance you are giving out to these artists. But I would tell you, I personally were not for exposure and being paid with a packet of chips, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” he said.
Below are some of the KOT’s reaction
Exposure pays… In the creative industry (music, art, entertainment etc)
Money is not the only form of payment. Sometimes exposure gives you more mileage than the the current payment would. #artcaffe #KameneAndJalas @Kiss100kenya @JalangoMwenyewe pic.twitter.com/im5w9yVLSP— BHANGi Tweets (@BHANGi_tweets) August 5, 2020
Shame on you Artcaffe. No really, shame on you.
1 coffee a day for a year is Kes 91,250.
Offer that instead of a cup of coffee that no one needs. Also, you know the winner won’t be able to redeem everyday, that’s why you offered this.
Respect creatives, they deserve to be paid. pic.twitter.com/CBWrnrERZW— Elayne (@ElayneOkaya) August 4, 2020
ANNOUNCING our #ARTofthecity competition! Calling all creatives of the city…help us exploit and disrespect your proffesion by making our take- away coffee cup, which will translate in an increase in revenue and we will reward you with a cup of coffee everyday. Spread the word!!
— Fring (@sir_paa) August 4, 2020
They’re paying in coffee.. yani ufanye hii kazi upewe maji moto na kahawa sachet ya 5bob..
Ayaya Hii ni unyama. pic.twitter.com/t4iGxYgpW8— SHARON (@Tsharz) August 4, 2020
KOT’s sentiments caused Artcaffe to come up with a rejoinder statement about the same to reiterate that they were not paying the winners of the competition with coffee like netizens earlier on perceived.
“UPDATE: in light of the reaction to our competition launch we want to clarify:
1) the prize is NOT coffee,
2) we greatly value artists and designers,
3) in this difficult time the purpose of this competition is to give artists & designers exposure & opportunity.” Artcaffe’s statement read in part.
“By using our platforms to reach a wider audience with their skill & craft – through either exhibition space in our branches, an internship with our Design Team & with their name and artwork displayed on our take-away coffee cups for the Holiday Season.”
